Mothers refer to Lockie as 'that nice boy with the surfing addiction'. He is a pretty decent-looking bloke and he is generally polite and knows how to keep himself clean and tidy, with only one zit that moves around his face. He is an optimist and sees hope in things. He is no genius, but knows how lucky he is.

The Sarge is the sort of copper who reads books. He is Lockie's dad and is kind of skinny and good looking, but with a daggy grin. As the local police sergeant, he tries to hold poetry readings in the lock-up and he confuses the whole town. He says that if only people read poetry and washed their hands after going to the toilet, then the crime rate would fall away.

fears: hurting people's feelings, people looking at her bum and thinking that it is too big.

Phillip Leonard

He is Lockie's kid brother. Phillip is a small kid, soft-looking and sensitive. A budding scientist, he struggles with wetting the bed, and annoys Lockie by snoring and smacking his lips while he is sleeping.

Cyril is the Leonards' family pet. He would have led a life of crime if it wasn't for the Sarge adopting him and turning his life around. The lanolin oil from his wool assists Phillip in his quest to stop wetting the bed.

Vicki is the sharpest, toughest, prettiest girl in Lockie's class, probably the whole school. She has striking green eyes, kinky long brown hair with steaks of sun, and glinting braces. She is a ballet dancer, but only because her mother makes her.

likes: bricks and mortar, the property ladder, business and cash-flow.

Sally Streeton

Sally is a housewife and first lady of Angelus She always offers Lockie food but rarely speaks to him. She looks young, but she is kind of scraggy and tired, with hard thin lips. She is smart, but seems bitter at times as though life has not been kind.

likes: playing tennis and golf.

Egg (Geoff Eggleston)

Egg is Lockie's best friend, even though he is a bogan and a metal head. He has a severe fear of swimming and sharks, and is prone to getting depressed but, overall, he is a really good guy.

Egg's mum is really intense and doesn't bother with small talk. She isn't actually that friendly, but she really knows what she is doing with an oxy torch.

likes: welding, metal sculptures, burping, Coca-Cola.

dislikes: dresses, cooking, Rev's sermons.

Reverend Eggleston

Egg's dad is the local reverend. He is a guy with a lot of heart, always striving to write the perfect sermon. He has a hard time though. He and Mrs Eggleston don't get along anymore and he is largely misunderstood by his parishioners. He likes to wear cardigans and an earring.

likes: writing sermons, religious jokes, Hot Omelette, Barry Manilow.

Dot Cookson

Dot is John East's niece. She is a total spunk and hot surfer. She has a smooth, tanned face, split in a smile, white teeth, a body like an Olympic swimmer, or a tri-athlete, and wears one-piece Speedos and pigtails. When she is out of the water she wears surf t-shirts with the sleeves cut out and board shorts.

She is muscly and mobile and has perfect wave judgement. She surfs like a total natural, as though no one else in the world exists.

age: 11

smells like: sunscreen, shampoo and conditioner.

likes: surfing, cartoons, basketball.

dislikes: running laps, environment meetings.

Boof

He is a tough kid, a bit like an old fridge with the paint peeling off. Boof's parents are bikers and he is the town bully. Lockie's arrangement with Boof is simple; he gives Lockie grief and Lockie out surfs him.

dislikes: kids from the city.

embarrassing moments: being caught kissing mullets.

Old Squasher

He is a truly vile creature: built like a rainwater tank - tall, round and corrugated. He sounds like someone has thumped his side with a stick when he is angry: vibrating, with brown dandruff coming off him like rust. He is Lockie's Maths teacher, and the footy coach.

He hangs around the school, but he isn't a teacher. He gives advice, but doesn't dish out work or punishment. John East is also the hairiest man on earth, with a back like a shag pile carpet.

likes: sleeping in on the school holidays, Italian boots, surfing and Lisa.

Nan and Pop

Nan and Pop are over-tanned, straight-out hard-core, single-minded completely nutso golfers. They reside at Silver Links, a dinky retirement estate that not only has its own golf course but the houses are more or less on the links itself.